Branson police say man was not mistreated during arrest

Branson police said today that a homeless man who was arrested Tuesday apparently was not mistreated, despite earlier reports that he may have been assaulted.

"After reviewing the facts known to police at this time, there is no reason to believe that any inappropriate levels of force were used, or that the subject was mistreated in any way," said the statement from police. Police have asked witnesses or anyone with video of the arrest that they believe shows inappropriate police action to call Police Chief Kent Crutcher at 417-337-8537.

Justin Dayle Squyres, 33, was arrested Tuesday outside of a McDonald's on Missouri 248 after police had been called by the adjacent Country Mart grocery store, according to a probable cause statement used to charge Squyres.

Police say they were called by the manager of the grocery store after Squyres, who is banned from the store, was told to leave. Squyres has past municipal convictions for trespassing at that location, according to the statement.

Squyres was charged with five misdemeanors: assaulting an officer, resisting arrest, peace disturbance and two counts of trespassing.

An officer used a Taser on Squyres during his arrest, according to the probable cause statement. The officer also wrote that he "placed approximately four closed hand strikes to the side of Squyres neck, possibly missing and hitting the side of his head in an attempt to stun him to gain compliance."

Pat Joyce, the owner of the Summer Winds Resort, has said he believes police used unnecessary force, based on firsthand accounts from witnesses and video.

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Branson police say man was not mistreated during arrest

Branson police said today that a homeless man who was arrested Tuesday apparently was not mistreated, despite earlier reports that he may have been assaulted.